Jeju Island Releases Guidelines for Foreign Tourists — Violators to Face Fines | WPN World People News

Jeju Island, one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations, has seen a steady rise in the number of foreign visitors. While this has brought economic benefits, it has also led to issues such as littering, traffic violations, and environmental damage. To protect the island’s ecology and preserve the quality of life for residents, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province officially announced the **"Code of Conduct for Foreign Tourists"** on the 27th. Violators may face fines, which could reach several million Korean won depending on the offense.

The guidelines focus on three main areas:

1. **Environmental Protection**: Littering or damaging natural resources is strictly prohibited. Offenders can be fined up to **1 million won**.

2. **Traffic Regulations**: Visitors renting cars must have a valid international driver’s license and comply with Korean traffic laws. Driving under the influence or without a valid license will result in heavy penalties.

3. **Cultural Respect**: Tourists are reminded to act respectfully when visiting traditional markets, temples, or residential areas. Unauthorized photography or actions that disrupt local life are not allowed.

According to local authorities, Jeju Island has recently attracted a large number of tourists from China, Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. However, some visitors have damaged protected plant areas, littered cigarette butts, or camped illegally, posing a threat to the environment. The Jeju government emphasized that the new measures are **not meant to discourage tourism**, but rather to ensure the **sustainable development** of the island’s tourism and ecology.

A spokesperson from the Jeju Provincial Police Agency told the media that, in addition to putting up warning signs, **officers will carry multilingual notices during patrols**. Minor violations will be handled with on-the-spot warnings, while more serious offenses will be dealt with immediately. The official noted that issuing warnings for minor infractions is intended to avoid creating tension with foreign tourists and also to reduce the burden on police forces.

After years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jeju’s pleasant climate has helped fuel a strong rebound in tourism — especially among foreign visitors. The restoration of direct flights, particularly from various cities in China, has made Chinese tourists the largest group of international visitors to the island. Other tourists often arrive via cruise ships or are drawn by the Korean Wave (Hallyu), especially K-pop, sparking broader interest in South Korea and helping total visitor numbers return to pre-pandemic levels.

The **Jeju Tourism Organization** stated that multilingual signs will be installed at airports, ports, and major tourist sites. They also plan to launch a **mobile app** in Chinese, English, and Japanese to help tourists easily access the regulations.

Local residents have expressed broad support for the new regulations, believing that only through strict enforcement can tourism development be balanced with quality of life. Experts also note that this initiative could enhance Jeju’s tourism image and serve as a model for other popular tourist destinations.